§ Mrs. Dunwoodyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the potential saving on hospital services costs which would arise from implementation of the Acheson report on primary health care in inner London; and if he will estimate the cost of implementation.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe recommendations of the Acheson report are aimed at improving primary health care 847W services in inner London rather than saving hospital costs. While improved primary health care services can be expected to enable more health care to be provided in the community rather than in hospital, it is not possible to estimate what savings in hospital costs might be made. The costs of implementing the report cannot be reliably estimated as many of the recommendations are general and open-ended in financial terms.
§ Mrs. Dunwoodyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether he will institute a study into the feasibility of establishing a primary health care information bureau, as recommended by the Acheson report;
(2) whether he will issue guidance to health authorities to allow inner London general practitioners to purchase equipment and furniture at cost through the supplies departments of health authorities, as recommended in the Acheson report.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe are considering the recommendations of the Acheson report, and expect to make an announcement soon.